books, books books!

A lot of exciting things are happening and i have been slacking. In my defense, my internet can be spotty at home. I became an aunt two weeks ago to a little girl named Reese Linnea. Because she lives in the ol' Hoosier state and I am out in the wild west, I haven't been able to see her or hold her. But I am flying back for a long weekend in February, I can't wait to see her! Until then I have become a crazy crafter, trying to make her everything possible in the first month she is alive. I'll post some pictures this weekend.

Last weekend was one of my favorite things - the Library Book Sale!! Lani and i discovered it last year and it is my heaven. A warehouse of books all for under $2. I always get sucked into fiction and then come out hours later with a book cart full.

I am proud of myself - only one box this time.

Here are a couple of books I picked up.

Here is a cutie I picked up for my niece!

But here is the problem - no more room on the bookshelves :)

I can't wait until the next one in April!!

My Trip to the Midwest

It was snowing when i woke up my first morning in Indiana. It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. This is the tree i brought home from school on earth day in 3rd grade. It was a twig with a couple pine needles hanging off. Now it is so beautiful, i wish i could see it everyday.



I went up to Chicago with my dad and age. Our holiday tradition: Marshall Fields (i refuse to call it Macys) to see the windows, which were lame this year - basically just an advertisement for FAO Schwartz. We ate at the Walnut Room right next to the gorgeous tree but while we were waiting to eat we lounged around the furniture floor. I love the top floors of Marshall Fields because beauty and individuality of the original store can be found.



And I love the basement because it is where you can find all the sweets!

Another holiday tradition is decorating cookies on Christmas Eve with my mom. We always make a mess of the tablecloth...

and it is always worth it :)

I am very glad that i was able to spend the holiday with my family. It was trying and it always is but i was able to spend some quality time with my mom and dad that i really needed. Christmas night was spent playing an old board game and drinking wine with my cousins. They are always making me laugh. Their banter seems to refuel me.

It felt great to be able to give gifts of appreciation to the people i love and who support me. My mom was wonderful to give me the funds to cover taking the GRE and my dad changed my world by giving me a laptop (yep, i am sitting on my couch right now playing on the computer). The support they have for my choice to apply to graduate school is amazing. I really saw it while i was there and it means the world.

I also came back with a huge stack of books that are sitting on my coffee table waiting to be read. I am ready for the challenge! I finished one already (Tales of the Beedle Bard - thanks dad!) and am now working on the third book in the Twilight series (thanks mom!).

I am sad that the holiday season is over. The music and decorations seem to make everything a little easier. But it will be back again before we know it. And until then i might secretly listen to a Christmas CD every now and then.

Happy New Year!!

I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy 2009!
I rang in the new year with amazing baked brie and apple snacks, mimosas, Across the Universe, Scrabble and a good friend.

My New Year's Resolutions - wish me luck!
1. Start a blog. - check!
2. Create an Etsy account to sell patterns and such.
3. Apply to graduate school.
4. Pay off Gracie's surgery by 6/30/09.
5. Donate toys and blankets to Halo (the rescue organization where I found Gracie).
6. Go to the eye doctor.

pattern by Annie Oakleaves

Busy, Busy, Busy!

This happy little santa is from my christmas card places mats that i found thrifting (okay lani found) He makes me smile every morning :)




Busy, busy, busy! I am looking forward to so many things that are coming up but i also know that it will all be over the in blink of an eye. I cant ever seem to just be excited about things, it always comes with a feeling of dread that it will all soon be over.


I made molasses cookies the other night because my heat wasn't working and i needed a way to warm up the house. They turned out really well and i cant seem to eat just one - it always turns into ten.

The heat is now fixed. I got an A in my class! All my work presents are done and patiently waiting on my desk to be passed out.

Layla's graduation party is tonight with with very exciting triathlon of air hockey, darts, cornhole, and hop scotch - all must be completed with drink in one hand - wait a minute that isn't a triathlon it is a quad-athalon?

Tomorrow Lani and I are off to see A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant, where kids are playing Tom Cruise, John Travolta and other scientologists. It should be a riot!

Saturday is possibly the farmer's market in the morning to get some last minute presents, 3D Polar Express with Sandra, and cookie baking and candy making at Amy's.

Sunday is laundry, packing and all that jazz. Then, Monday is work and jet setting to Chi-town for a week of non-stop family. Phew, I'm tired just thinking about it! So much fun in so little time.

Holiday Chaos

word of the day (according to my calendar):
glogg - n. a hot spiced wine and liquor punch served in Scandinavian countries as a Christmas drink
where can i get some?



GRE finished!
Final paper half finished!
Presents are getting there!
Molasses cookies to bake and White Christmas to watch tonight!




Patterns from Sublime Stitching

Holidays

I used to be a Grinch. I remember Age calling me Scrooge one year but since i don't have her or Annie to be full of holiday cheer for me, i seem to have found my inner Christmas spirit. I forced it on Lani last year and am trying to do the same this year. I started secretly listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween and my tree went up on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

I couldn't sleep this morning, nightmares and then my brain wouldn't turn off. So, i got up and plugged in the tree - I just love the glow of Christmas lights! It was the perfect way to fix the start of today.

This the first year that i have an actual fireplace and mantel! This picture gives me a little anxiety with all my little things all over but i need my chachkies (is this a real word?). My comforts as Annie calls them.

Gracie's name didn't make it on the stocking last night but i did study for the GRE. Tonight is my last class of the semester. Where has the time gone?

Hello, there!

So, the thought is that if i create a keep up a blog then all my family and friends far and wide can keep up dated on my life.

Right now i am super busy with taking the GRE on Saturday and all my holiday projects. I have not prepared in the slightest for this test that will pretty much decide my future. That is out of character for me so i am going to go with it. I do have a back up plan if grad school falls through so i think that is helping. The holiday projects are coming along well. There is no way i can do everything i would like to in time... oh well. I sent christmas cards today and my goal is to get Gracie's name on her stocking tonight :) ok, well i hope this blog is a good idea...




patterns from Needle Noodles